Gossip Girl Evaluation Results

30 05 2010

Thanks to all who voted in the second annual Gossip Girl Evaluation.

The winners of each of these will face-off against the winners in the One Tree Hill and 90210 polls.

FAVORITE CHARACTERS

Winners: Blair, Chuck

Noteworthy: Each essentially creamed the competition, with none of the other girls even able to get double-digit percentages, though the boys fared a bit better. Still, they were a long way behind Chuck’s 64.8 percent.

Last Season’s Winners: Blair, Chuck

Thoughts: Fully expected this given the loud fanbase I see on nearly every site covering Gossip Girl. But I expected Chuck to totally destroy the competition as Blair did. Guess she really still is Queen Bee.

FAVORITE COUPLE

Winner: Blair and Chuck

Noteworthy: The only couple to come close–and by “close,” I mean not close at all–was Serena and Nate. Serena-Tripp and Vanessa-Scott were the only couples not voted for at all.

Last Season’s Winner: Blair and Chuck

Thoughts: If you didn’t see this coming, I don’t know what to tell you. And that’s not to say the couple doesn’t have its detractors (see below).

WORST CHARACTERS

Winners: Jenny, Dan

Noteworthy: Vanessa narrowly “lost,” receiving just five votes less than Jenny. There was a smaller margin on the male side, with Chuck actually getting a decent percentage of vote.

Last Season’s Winners: Vanessa, Dan

Thoughts: Personally, I think the different between Jenny and Vanessa–this season at least–is that Jenny some people have hatred for and no respect, whereas Vanessa simply doesn’t entertain. Similarly and dissimilarly, with Dan and Nate (who came in first and second, respectively), I think it’s just a case of who bores and annoys more, as opposed to actual disgust or exasperation with the characters.

WORST COUPLE

Winner: Vanessa and Dan

Noteworthy: Vanessa and Dan didn’t win by much at all. They were closely followed by Serenate, Serena-Tripp and Dan-Georgina. All couples received at least one vote, with Blair and Chuck getting four.

Last Season’s Winner: Vanessa and Nate

Thoughts: Can’t say I’m surprised V/D won but I could’ve seen the title going to several other couples since there were so many pairings (and lackluster ones at that) this season, in my opinion. Serenate clearly divides people. I imagine there’s more dislike for Blair-Chuck out there than people are willing to admit (even in an anonymous poll), or perhaps it’s just, as I feel most of the time, indifference.

FAVORITE SUPPORTING CHARACTER

Winner: Dorota

Noteworthy: Dorota and Georgina were neck-and-neck last year but a fair distance apart this time around. Dorota’s competition was actually Eric, although he still only had half the votes Dorota got. After Eric, Lily had the next strongest showing. Quite a few didn’t receive any votes, but Cameron, K.C. and Maureen each received one. Really, folks?

Last Season’s Winner: Georgina

Thoughts: I think Dorota is the “break-out” character of the show, a semi-hidden gem if you will, and am eager to see what they do with her next season given she has a child now. I was quite surprised by Eric and Lily doing so well, mostly since they are seen pretty off-and-on throughout the season (though nearly all of the supporting characters are) and I don’t think I’ve ever really heard someone say they like Lily. Good to know now that some people do! Jack also received one vote, which surprised me, as I assumed he would do well under the “character you love to hate” theory. I realized I probably should’ve included Gossip Girl her/himself as an option.

BEST STORYLINE

Winner: Blair and Chuck’s relationship

Noteworthy: “Chair” or “Bluck” (whatever you prefer) had the most votes by far, with about equal numbers voting for them overall or focusing on the break-up/Jack storyline. Much to my surprise, the next highest amount was for Dan and Olivia’s relationship. Serenate’s relationship followed closely. There were a few votes for Georgina’s storylines, particularly in the beginning of the season, as well. The most blunt answer: “Jenny GONE (at least for now). Nothing else this season was all that good.”

Invalid Others: None

Last Season’s Winner: Blair and Chuck’s relationship

Thoughts: Kudos to people following the stipulation of focusing on this season only. Boo to those who selected the wrong option (though it happened significantly less than in the OTH evaluation). While the storyline with Chuck and Evelyn/Elizabeth received more than one vote, I expected to have more support.

WORST STORYLINE

Winner: Jenny

Noteworthy: Strong dislike for Jenny all around this season, from the character in general to specific storylines, such as trying to be Queen Bee, messing with Serenate and, of course, sleeping with Chuck. Example answers: “Only 1? There were a few… Anything involving Jenny for sure,” “Damien and Jenny The Drug Dealer – what a useless waste. and i LIKE Kevin Zegers” and “the chuck and blair break up 😦 and well..everything with jenny.” The next highest vote-getter was the season-long storyline with Serena and William.

Invalid Others: None

Last Season’s Winner: Multi-way tie due to all single votes

Thoughts: Can’t say I didn’t see this coming, though I expected it to be rivaled by votes for Blair and Chuck’s break-up, which didn’t even end up coming close. On the flipside, I know there are lots of Jenny fans out there, especially Jenny-Nate fans. Guess they just don’t read TDW!

BEST CLIFF-HANGER

Winner: Georgina telling Dan she’s pregnant with his baby

Noteworthy: This one nearly toppled the competition, although Chuck getting shot wasn’t far behind. Together, they had a significant majority of votes. There were three other single responses: whether Blair and Chuck will reunite, Chuck finding a woman at his father’s grave and “none.” Most interesting responses: “Georgina’s pregnancy, fo’ sho’,” “Chuck being shot even though he is not dead,” “Georgina! Holy Crap!” and “chuck getting shot and georginas pregnancy, although cwtv.com ruined it!”

Invalid Others: None

Last Season’s Winner: Serena finding out where her dad is/Georgina requesting to room with Blair at NYU

Thoughts: I wasn’t surprised here, either, as the Georgina reveal and Chuck shooting essentially came out of nowhere in the final minutes (seconds?) of the finale. Not sure what the “cwtv.com ruined it!” comment is referring to.

RATE THE SEASON OVERALL

Winner: 7.5

Noteworthy: There were equal votes for 7 and 8, so I thought it was fair to average them. All values were voted for, with the next highest value being 5.

Last Season’s Winner: 8

Thoughts: Critics and fans alike have complained of a drop in quality this season, though I was kind of expecting an even lower rating to win, especially given the decisiveness the finale has caused.

RATE THE SHOW OVERALL

Winner: 10

Noteworthy: Again, all values received at least one vote with 7 and 8 again faring well. But 10 came out on top, just as it did for One Tree Hill. Will 90210 pull off a perfect score as well?

Last Season’s Winner: 9

Thoughts: So much for that drop in quality. Or perhaps the increase in value for the show as a whole is just a product of more people–or different people–voting this year.

Don’t forget to vote in the 90210 Evaluation if you haven’t already.





One Tree Hill Evaluation Results

27 05 2010

Thanks to all who voted in the second annual One Tree Hill Evaluation.

The winners of each of these–except for the returning characters question–will face-off against the eventual winners in the Gossip Girl and 90210 polls.

FAVORITE CHARACTERS

Winners: Brooke, Nathan

Noteworthy: Although I noticed Brooke easily winning in the beginning, in the end the results were neck-and-neck with Haley earning 44 percent of the vote to Brooke’s 48.6 percent. For the first day or so, Quinn didn’t have any votes but by the end, she scrounged up 7, but not enough to beat Alex. Nathan won by a landslide, garnering 73.1 percent of the votes.

Last Season’s Winners: Brooke, Lucas

Thoughts: I can’t say I’m surprised that Nathan won or that Brooke did, but it’s a little strange not seeing Haley next to Nathan’s name. Nathan and Haley, in my opinion, are so intertwined, so it’s surprising to me that one won but the other didn’t. Like Quinn, Clay came in last. Granted the number of voters is a minuscule amount of One Tree Hill’s audience, but perhaps this is an indication of where some would like season 8 to go…or not go.

FAVORITE COUPLE

Winner: Nathan and Haley

Noteworthy: Naley received more than 2.5 times more votes than Brulian.

Last Season’s Winner: Lucas and Peyton

Thoughts: So, individually, voters prefer Nathan and Brooke but couples-wise, Nathan’s pairing trumps Brooke’s. I don’t quite get it. There was some love for Clay and Quinn (13 votes) and Clay and Sara (8 votes).

WORST CHARACTERS

Winners: Alex, Clay

Noteworthy: Clay received the majority of the vote, while Alex and Quinn were pretty close: 51.1 percent versus 41.3 percent.

Last Season’s Winners: Peyton, Lucas

Thoughts: It was no surprise to me that Clay would win this category (and it’s sad to say “win” here because it’s not a positive thing) when he was stacked up against Nathan and Julian, who, if nothing else, have been around for more than 22 episodes. I was surprised, however, to see Alex “beat” Quinn (and therefore really lost), given the results of the first poll, where a few more voted for Alex than Quinn as best character. Perhaps the difference can be attributed to the fact that the first poll had more votes cast in it. Maybe if more people voted in this poll, Quinn would’ve earned the dishonor just as she did in the first poll? Of course, I’m still perplexed by last year’s results on this one (where Leyton were named worst characters but also best couple) so what do I know?

WORST COUPLE

Winner: Clay and Sara

Noteworthy: Clay and Quinn were the runner-up, but still a decent ways behind.

Last Season’s Winner: Brooke and Owen

Thoughts: This one kind of disappointed me. I wasn’t surprised that Naley or Brulian got some votes–not everyone is a fan–but Clay and Sara in episode 7.07, I And Love And You was quite possibly the highlight of the season for me. Certainly the Katie storyline tarnished it a bit and maybe it did for others, too, leading to the worst couple title.

FAVORITE SUPPORTING CHARACTER

Winner: Jamie

Noteworthy: Most of the contenders got 3 percent of the vote or less.

Last Season’s Winner: Jamie

Thoughts: Jamie took this title two seasons in a row (I did not have the site during season 5, his first season on the show) and I’m kind of surprised. Maybe I’m biased, since I mostly haven’t dug him this season. I guess I expected Dan to win, despite his absence from the second-half of the season.

FAVORITE RETURNING CHARACTER

Winner: Rachel

Noteworthy: Last year, some people wrote in Rachel as their answer to this question, even though she wasn’t eligible since she didn’t appear in season 6. Bet those people were happy she did appear this season!

Last Season’s Winner: Karen

Thoughts: Figured this category would really be a toss-up, as I easily saw any of the candidates winning. While I was far from completely happy with Rachel, Taylor or Lydia’s storylines, I think all three actresses kicked major butt.

BEST STORYLINE

Winner: Lydia’s return and death from cancer

Noteworthy: Haley’s depression came in second, with less than 10 votes separating it from first place. The next highest was Brulian’s relationship followed by the Nathan/Renee scandal. Many things got one vote but among the more interesting picks (read: slightly puzzling) to me were Grubbs, Brooke dealing with Alexander/Victoria and “the entire 80’s episode. Only quality episode all season, besides the final.” There was also one person who said “none” and another who wrote “All of them!!! They were amazing this year :)”

Invalid Others: Lucas and Peyton, the school shooting, Jamie’s birth and season 3

Last Season’s Winner: Leyton’s relationship

Thoughts: It amuses me and frustrates me when people don’t follow the instructions–answers are to be based only on the season that just ended. (Not to mention some people selecting the wrong choice and not writing anything in at all.) Not sure what the two voters who said Lucas and Peyton meant–happy they’re gone or thinking about a past season? The Jamie’s birth one made me laugh. And perhaps those that put the schooling shooting and season 3 were thinking about the show overall, as I definitely understand those picks in that context. Anyway, Haley clearly dominated in this poll, between the depression storyline, Lydia’s death and votes for how Nathan’s scandal affecting Naley, plus picks for her pregnancy and one for her album…and yet she didn’t manage to win best female character.

WORST STORYLINE

Winner: Psycho Katie

Noteworthy: The second highest was the Nathan/Renee scandal, which I guess, given the previous question, split many viewers. In third was Julian and Alex’s interactions and how it affected Brulian. Again, many things got single votes including Nathan and Julian’s “KISS” scene, the overall focus on the guest/new characters and the Mouth/Lauren/Skills triangle. And, of course, there were a couple “none” and “all”-type votes.

Invalid Others: Nanny Carrie, Nathan and Brooke’s sex tape, Anna and Felix, season one

Last Season’s Winner: Nanny Carrie’s return

Thoughts: As someone who has a lot of beef with this season, the results here were like a giant love letter to me. It was reassuring to see many shared my same gripes, such as the rest of Haley’s siblings being MIA during Lydia’s death, Leyton’s absence (I think it was put best in this answer: “Peyton and Lucas not being there for the friends when they needed them”), Grubbs/Miranda and the misuse of Dan and Rachel.

BEST CLIFF-HANGER

Winner: Clay and Quinn getting shot

Noteworthy: The next highest results were actually what many considered to be happy (resolved?) endings: Naley’s pregnancy and Brulian’s proposal. There were some genuinely interesting answers (read: clever and/or frank): “Not much this season held my interest. Big disappointment from season’s past,” “By a long shot (no pun intended) Quinn,” “Will they kill off yawn-a-minute Quinn and keep Clay alive?” and “Would the show be renewed.”

Invalid Others: Season 3’s ending, Lucas’ proposal, if Leyton are coming back

Last Season’s Winner: Peyton’s health scare(s)

Thoughts: I expected Alex’s suicide attempt to garner more than 3 votes, but perhaps that’s just because I thought the scene was pretty awesomely done. I was surprised to see a vote for Mia and Chase (will they or won’t they get back together is really your biggest unanswered question?) and more pleasantly surprised to see a vote for Haley finding Renee’s phone number on Nathan’s phone bills.

RATE THE SEASON OVERALL

Winner: 8

Noteworthy: There were just 6 votes between “7” and “8.” Every value got at least 3 votes.

Last Season’s Winner: 8

Thoughts: For a while, if I recall correctly, there weren’t votes for 9 or 10 but those ended up earning a fair amount. I have to admit the 10 votes throw me off. It’s surprising to me that some think this season was just as good or better than past seasons as, in my opinion, it was just a vastly different show this year. But I guess it’s totally fair for it to be vastly different and people to like it.

RATE THE SHOW OVERALL

Winner: 10

Noteworthy: Won with a larger margin than the last question, more than doubling the votes that “9” got. Every value got at least 2 votes.

Last Season’s Winner: 10

Thoughts: Last year One Tree Hill was the only show to earn a 10 here. It remains to be seen whether that’ll happen again…

Don’t forget to vote in the Gossip Girl evaluation if you haven’t already.





Second Annual Gossip Girl Evaluation

27 05 2010

With the One Tree Hill evaluation now complete (results will be posted later today), we move on to Gossip Girl.

You have until Saturday at 11:59pm eastern to vote in these polls.

**Please remember your answers should be based solely on the season that just ended, except for the last question, which is about the show overall.**

Note: The format is wonky for the open-ended questions.  Please put your answer in the “other” space.





Second Annual One Tree Hill Evaluation

24 05 2010

After the television season ended last year, I conducted three sets of polls to evaluate what readers thought of One Tree Hill, Gossip Girl and 90210.

The results of each then formed one more survey to see which teen drama really had the best season.

With last week’s conclusion to the 2009-2010 TV season, it’s time to do it again.

We’ll kick things off with a set of polls about One Tree Hill’s seventh season.

You have until Wednesday at 11:59pm eastern to vote. I’ll post the results and the next set of questions the next day.

**Please remember your answers should be based solely on the season that just ended, except for the last question, which is about the show overall.**

Note: The format is wonky for the open-ended questions.  Please put your answer in the “other” space.





Spoiler: Ask Ausiello

20 05 2010

RELEVANT QUESTIONS–DON’T READ IF YOU DON’T WANT TO KNOW!!!

Question: Was Vanessa’s absence in these final Gossip Girl episodes a creative decision or a contractual issue with Jessica Szohr? —Jessica
Ausiello:
E.P. Stephanie Savage says it was the former. “The big story at the end of the season was the [William] story, and we wanted Dan to be available to really be in that story with everyone else,” she explains. “And it felt like it was nicer to give Dan and Vanessa their own ending to their story rather than try and thread that through that [Williams] story.”

Question: Loved the Gossip Girl finale! But regarding your asterisk quiz from last week, the possible fatality was Chuck, not *a*e, so that was very misleading. —Janice
Ausiello:
Chuck isn’t male?! A spoiler alert would’ve been nice!

Credit: EW.com





Weekly Poll

19 05 2010

In the last Weekly Poll, 46 percent were intrigued by a Alex-Chase pairing on One Tree Hill. Almost equal amounts–28 percent and 26 percent–didn’t want it or were mixed, respectively. There were similarly close results in the Gossip Girl poll, where 49 percent want to see Dan and Serena reunite and 41 percent don’t want to. Another 10 percent were mixed. A whopping 72 percent weren’t digging the Javianna storyline on 90210, believing Navid would be much better. Just 9 percent thought Javier was a good fit and 19 percent doesn’t want Adrianna with Javier OR Navid.

I most likely won’t be doing a Weekly Poll during the summer hiatus.

Stay tuned for individual show surveys to evaluate the season and then a survey pitting each show’s results head-to-head.

You can check out last  year’s evaluation in the meantime.





Spoiler: Ask Ausiello

13 05 2010

RELEVANT QUESTIONS–DON’T READ IF YOU DON’T WANT TO KNOW!!!

Question: Since you’ve already seen the Gossip Girl finale, please tell me that Dan and Serena will stop pretending that they don’t have feelings for each other. —Damien
Ausiello:
I can confirm that by the end of the hour, one of them will stop pretending.

Question: Can you tell us anything more about the shooting that you mentioned in the season finale of Gossip Girl — like a clue as to who it is or when in the episode it happens? —Kim
Ausiello:
It happens at the end of the episode, and it’s one of the following three characters: Nate, Dan, or Chuck.

Question: I need some 90210 scoop! —Bryan
Ausiello:
Two characters will [15th category down on my May Sweeps Scorecard] in the finale.

Credit: EW.com

****

Notes:

The 15th category down is breakups.





Weekly Poll

12 05 2010

In the last Weekly Poll, most people–49 percent–think the Grubbs-Miranda storyline on One Tree Hill is a waste of time. Twenty-seven percent said it varies and 24 percent said it’s entertaining. Fifty-two percent didn’t know whether Gossip Girl’s Vanessa should have taken the internship and didn’t care while 39 percent thought it was a huge opportunity for her and 9 percent thought her relationship with Dan should be more important. No one said they didn’t know because they were torn. The 90210 poll had the closest results, where 45.5 percent didn’t agree with Dixon’s choice not to talk to Annie while 27.3 percent each agreed or didn’t know. (This adds up to 100.1 percent. I do not know why.)





Spoiler: Watch With Kristin

11 05 2010

RELEVANT QUESTIONS–DON’T READ IF YOU DON’T WANT TO KNOW!!!

Quincy in New York: I’m devastated at the rumor that ***** and ***** will hook up on Gossip Girl! Please say it isn’t so!
It so…is. Sorry. Sources confirm that a certain someone will be doing a certain something for the first time and it will cause some serious heartbreak—for you fans and another girl on the show. And that might not be the only hookup shocker! I’m told that “A Gossip Girl blast goes out about Dan and Serena that will not make Vanessa or Nate happy.” Suffice to say, the finale is going to have lots of romantic upheaval, so buckle up. Oh, and the good news? I’m hearing that at least one core G.G. couple will end up happy at the end of the season. Say your prayers for your fave now!

Katelyn in Oahu: 90210 details are seriously needed.
Liam finally sets sail in his boat, but sadly, it’s almost instantly destroyed in a firey death—with him and Annie on board! And remember that crazy-horrible-mind-blowing thing we’ve teased happens to Naomi? It’s right around the corner and involves an action that’s both physical and devastating.





Weekly Poll

5 05 2010

In the last Weekly Poll, most voters–41.2 percent–believe Haley is really pregnant on One Tree Hill. Another 30.1 percent disagree while 21.3 percent don’t know but hope so while 7.4 percent don’t know but hope not. Forty-two percent believe Gossip Girl’s Lily had cancer before but doesn’t not. Thirty-eight percent don’t think she ever did but 20 percent think it’s true. With the last question, 39.7 percent said Liam’s dad Finn on 90210 was shady while 11.8 percent thought he was trying to make a life for himself. Twenty-five percent thought it was a combination and 23.5 percent thought it was too soon to tell.